Best things to do in Karavanks

Karavanks Must-Sees

The Karavanks range, spanning the border of Slovenia and Austria, is defined by limestone peaks, medieval fortifications, and glacial lakes. This selection highlights the highest summit, Stol, alongside the well-preserved Celje and Velenje castles. Natural attractions include the karst formations of Hell Cave and the Obir dripstone caves, while the region's cultural heritage is showcased at the Liznjek Farm and the Podzemlje Pece mining museum. Recreation options range from the Logar Valley ski slopes to the unique Green Gold beer fountain.

Karavanks Must-Sees — Map

andrej hrovat / CC-BY-SA

A

Celje Castle

Celje Castle, also known as Celje Upper Castle or Old Castle, is a castle ruin in Celje, Slovenia, formerly the seat of the Counts of Celje.

EPei / CC-by-sa 3.0

B

Lake Faak

Lake Faak is a lake in the Austrian state of Carinthia. With an area of approximately 2.2 km2, it is the state's fifth-largest lake.

Sl-Ziga / Public domain

C

Hell Cave

Hell Cave is a karst cave in the settlement of Zalog pri Šempetru in Slovenia.

konjar.luka / CC-BY-SA

D

I. Martuljški slap

The first of two waterfalls in the Martuljek forest, dropping 29 meters over a vertical wall. It is accessible via a marked forest trail starting from Gozd Martuljek.

E

Letališče Slovenske Konjice (Loče)

A small grass-runway airfield used for sports aviation, skydiving, and panoramic flights over the Savinja Valley.

Mitja Dobravc / CC-BY-SA

F

Green gold - Beer fountain

Located in Žalec, this outdoor fountain allows visitors to sample various local beers brewed with Savinja Valley hops using a specialized microchipped glass.

Gábor Hajdi / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Strandbad Krainz

A lakeside bathing area on the Klopeiner See, featuring a sunbathing lawn, wooden piers, and swimming facilities.

Herzi Pinki / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Aichwaldsee

Aichwaldsee is a lake of Carinthia, Austria.

EliziR / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Nature Reserve Zelenci

A sub-alpine wetland and source of the Sava Dolinka River. It features a deep emerald-green lake fed by underground springs and a wooden observation walkway.

J

Panoramacamping

A campsite offering pitches for tents and caravans with views of the Karavanks and proximity to the Klopeiner See.

K

Louis Mega Shop Villach

A specialized retail outlet in Villach offering a wide range of motorcycle clothing, helmets, and technical accessories.

L

Agencija Julijana

A tourist office in Kranjska Gora providing local guides, equipment rentals, and information on hiking and cycling routes in the Julian Alps.

Ljuba brank / GFDL

M

Podzemlje Pece - Turistični rudnik in muzej

A former lead and zinc mine turned into a museum. Visitors can explore the tunnels by train, bike, or kayak through flooded shafts.

N

Gasthaus Zum Paule (Kleinberger)

A traditional Carinthian guesthouse near Lake Faak, known for serving regional Austrian cuisine in a rustic setting.

Johann Jaritz / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

Burgruine Finkenstein

Finkenstein Castle is a ruined medieval castle in the market town of Finkenstein, in the Austrian state of Carinthia.

Zeberus / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

Burgruine Federaun

Burgruine Federaun is a castle in Carinthia, Austria.

Johann Jaritz / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

Q

Burgruine Straßfried

Burgruine Straßfried is a castle in Carinthia, Austria. It is located next to the Austrian–Italian border by Arnoldstein in Carinthia.

BSonne / CC BY-SA 3.0

R

Burgruine Rosegg

Ruins of a 12th-century hilltop castle overlooking the Drava River. It was a strategic fortification before falling into disrepair in the 19th century.

Petar Milošević / CC BY-SA 4.0

S

Celje Cathedral

Celje Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Prophet Daniel in Celje, Slovenia.

Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0

T

Kamen Castle

An impressive ruin situated on the foot-hills of the mighty Slovenian Alps. A great sight surely worth visiting.

Szeder László / GFDL

U

Celje

A nice town set in beautiful lush countryside full of parks and with nearby mountains.

Michal Hrbek / CC-BY-SA

V

Planšarsko jezero

An artificial heart-shaped lake in Jezersko, created to commemorate a former glacial lake. It serves as a starting point for several alpine hiking trails.

Johann Jaritz / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

W

Schloss Rosegg

Schloss Rosegg is a castle in Rosegg, Carinthia, Austria. Schloss Rosegg is 478 metres above sea level.

X

Atrio

A large shopping center in Villach located near the borders of Austria, Italy, and Slovenia, featuring over 90 shops and restaurants.

Y

Stari grad Traberg

Ruins of a medieval castle on a hill above Dravograd, dating back to the 12th century. It offers views over the Drava Valley.

Z

Burgruine Sonegg

Burgruine Sonegg is a castle in Carinthia, Austria.

Marko Pernhart / Public domain

Schloss Hollenburg

Schloss Hollenburg is a medieval castle near Köttmannsdorf in Carinthia, Austria. It is on a rock of the northern slope of the Drava valley.

Celje Castle

Celje Castle, also known as Celje Upper Castle or Old Castle, is a castle ruin in Celje, Slovenia, formerly the seat of the Counts of Celje.

Hubertl / Public domain

Velenje Castle

Velenje Castle is a well-preserved castle in Velenje, Slovenia that was owned by the Kunšperk family, followed by their relatives and the…

Anton Paul Heilmann / Public domain

Bertahütte

An alpine mountain hut at 1,567 meters on the northern slopes of Mt. Kepa, serving as a base for hikers and climbers.

Johann Jaritz / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

Schloss Ferlach

A 16th-century manor house in Ferlach. It houses the Gaston Glock Museum and exhibitions related to the town's history of gunsmithing.

Rollroboter / CC BY-SA 4.0

Schloss Bleiburg

A Renaissance-style castle situated on a hill above Bleiburg. It is privately owned and known for its cultural events and the nearby Werner Berg Museum.

JJ55 / Public domain

Schloß Neudenstein

A 14th-century castle perched on a rocky outcrop above the Völkermarkt reservoir, featuring Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements.

Florian Fuchs / CC BY 3.0

Wildensteiner Wasserfall

One of Europe’s highest free-falling waterfalls, with water dropping 54 meters from a vertical cliff near Gallizien.

Georg Matthäus Vischer / Public domain

grad Pakenštajn

Ruins of a medieval fortification near Šmartno ob Paki, originally built to protect the valley route.

Georg Matthäus Vischer / Public domain

Grad Konjice

Remains of a 12th-century castle on the slopes of Mount Konjiška Gora, featuring a preserved residential tower and defensive walls.

Grad Lemberg

A manor house and former castle site in Lemberg pri Šmarju, with history dating back to the 12th century as a seat of local nobility.

Logar Valley Ski Resort

This resort is not just about skiing. You can go dog sledding, paragliding, clim a frozen waterfall or take a sleigh ride.

Anton Paul Heilmann / Public domain

Stol

Stol or Hochstuhl, at 2,236 m, is the highest mountain of the Karawanks and straddles the border between Slovenia and Austria.

Kranjska Gora

Central transport hub in the resort town, providing bus connections to Ljubljana, Jesenice, and seasonal shuttle services to Vršič Pass.

Liznjek House

The Liznjek Farm is an ethnographic museum housed in a renovated 18th-century farmhouse, located in the centre of the town of Kranjska Gora…

MoserB / Public domain

Wildpark Rosegg

A large wildlife park featuring over 400 animals, including ibex, lynx, and bison, located around the ruins of Rosegg Castle.

JakobZ / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Raduha

Raduha is a mountain in the eastern part of Kamnik–Savinja Alps in northern Slovenia.

Matijap / Public domain

Roblekov dom

A mountain lodge at 1,657 meters on the Begunjščica ridge, offering panoramic views of the Julian Alps and the Sava Valley.

Lacen / CC BY-SA 2.5

Prešeren Lodge at Stol

The Prešeren Lodge at Stol is a mountain hut on the southern side of Mt. Stol in the Karawanks, just below the peak of Little Stol.

Obir-Tropfsteinhöhle

A network of stalactite caves discovered during mining operations, featuring unique limestone formations and underground pools accessible via guided tours.

Other Lists

Majestic Peaks and Alpine Huts Castles and Ruins Significant Religious Sites